Barrons publishes Y2k article discussing BAT International public service message (...urged every American not to listen to anyone who says that they "know" that Y2k will be a non event.)(oil disruptions)

SAN DIEGO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 27, 1999--Barron's, "The Dow Jones Business And
Financial Weekly," published today an article on page 17 titled "Don't Forget 'Cash Is King' Even If
The World Shuts Down." The Barron's article was published in response to a BAT International
(OTC:BAAT) press released (dated Dec. 17, 1999) that urged every American not to listen to anyone
who says that they "know" that Y2K will be a non-event. Instead, the BAT International press release
advised Americans to heed warnings of the federal and state governments, the Red Cross, and most of
all the report by U.S. Senate Special Committee on the Year 2000 Technology Problem titled
"Investigating the Year 2000: The 100 Day Report" (available at
www.senate.gov/~y2k/documents/100dayrpt.)
The 12-page Executive Summary of this 190-page report clearly indicates the seriousness of
possible problems that the Y2K "computer bug" might cause, both nationally and internationally. BAT
International management strongly suggests that each citizen should read this report and make his or
her own decision regarding how serious the Y2K problem might be and what preparations should be
taken.
The report covers all sectors of the U.S. and world economies that might be affected by the Y2K
problem. In one section of the report, the Committee stated that "it believes that the potential for
disruption is significant in enough oil producing countries to impact oil availability and thus prices at
the gas pump here at home. The committee urges the oil industry and the federal government to
monitor this situation closely." (page 27 of the report). The report also states (on page 7): "Of greatest
concern at the local level is the readiness of the 911 pubic safety answering points, and the ability to
provide adequate response in the face of a potential increase in demand for service due to Y2k
problems." These are only two of many examples discussed in the Committee's report.
As a public service, BAT International is providing a comprehensive yet easy-to-use 50 item "Y2K
Checklist" on its web site at www.baat.com. The checklist is provided to BAT International and other
organizations by First Millennium, an Internet e-commerce startup company at
www.FirstMillennium.com that is also concerned about the safety and well-being of citizens during the
transition from the 1900's to the 2000's.
"We are not saying that it is the end of the world as we know it," said Joe LaStella, president and
CEO of BAT International. "However, BAT International is a think-tank organization that has
concluded from the Committee's report and other reports that no one has a real understanding of the
world's Y2K vulnerabilities, and unpredictability of the cascading failures among interconnected
systems. There is a huge amount of evidence that some problems will happen and that some of these
problems might be severe enough to be a serious threat to the safety and welfare of citizens in some
parts of the United States. We are only urging everyone to take some precautions as stated in the
"Y2K Checklist." Anyone with an Internet access can read the checklist from our web site at
www.baat.com/Y2K_Checklist.htm.
BAT International is a publicly traded over-the-counter company. Stock quotes for BAT
International can be obtained from www.stockmaster.com, www.bloomberg.com and www.aol.com.
BAT International is organized as a holding company with major ownership in subsidiary companies
that are commercializing advanced automotive and energy technology products. Technologies
developed over the last years include electric vehicles, composite chassis, super-efficient or high
power IC engines, electric bicycles, advanced batteries, lubricant additives, electric power generation,
and Internet e-commerce.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that should not be used to make an
investment decision. Please refer to the web sites www.baat.com, www.electrobike.com,
www.baat.com/superbat and www.baat.com/pulsecharge and other sources for recent and detailed
company information on BAT International and its subsidiaries, or call Investor Relations at (619)
409-8977.

"...it believes that the potential for disruption is significant in
enough oil producing countries to impact oil availability and thus
prices at the gas pump here at home."

Or,

"Of greatest concern at the local level is the readiness of the 911
pubic safety answering points, and the ability to provide adequate
response in the face of a potential increase in demand for service
due to Y2k problems."

Or,

"There is a huge amount of evidence that some problems will happen
and that some of these problems might be severe enough to be a
serious threat to the safety and welfare of citizens in some parts of
the United States."

Sorry, but none of these statements makes me want to go out and pump
up my investment portfolio.

Gary-
My reference to SPAM above is valid. SPAM does not have to be
commercially oriented to be SPAM. They used a bulk e-mailer to send
out multiple identical messages to recepients who did not request the
info.
That's SPAM, like it or not. I got one, I didn't like it. period.

I seem to get a lot of "important news" about companies that imply
that I should take a look at them, and oh by the way, here's their
OTC number. and you can call "Investor Relations if you have more
questions".. No direct selling, just "take a look at our company"

Anytime I get an email that looks like it got routed through another
server like the one from BAT, AND if it has an OTC number, I
fire off a copy to Enforcement@Sec.gov.

I don't care if their motivations are pure.
If Mother Theresa sent me a bulk email, its SPAM and I'll complain.